Chapter 5:

It had been almost two weeks since Barry had fallen into his coma and he showed little signs of regaining consciousness with his wounds only healing at a normal, human speed. Oliver had barely left his side, and the other members of team arrow had also been around more often than not with Felicity there almost permanently to make sure Barry was medically ok and that Oliver was fine given he had been acting off since the incident in Central.

In the middle of the cave on the monitors was the news that had been going on constantly and hadn't let up an inch since the big battle of Central City. The media had been going wild with all that had happened, and many began labelling The Flash as a terrorist due to the damage that was done whilst others fought for him saying that he had been fighting Zoom and protecting them as he had always done. Many were in frantic search for their beloved hero that had only appeared after a long absence from the city, through the debacle the police had taken the Flash sides labelling him as a protector but due to the damage it was a federal matter and many politicians were calling it a terrorist act and that the Flash had to be brought in. If the fight wasn't enough the fight for the Flash as a hero or villain had thrown Central as well as many other places across America into vicious arguments and feuding. During all this the repairs had begun on the city and many people who had their buildings damaged were standing against the Flash although there was still some preaching what could have been if Barry hadn't saved them.

Oliver cared little for this debate, he was angered by how the people were turning against Barry and blaming this on him but with Barry in the state he was, this was of little concern. The steady beep of the heart monitor that was attached to Barry was what had all of Oliver's attention, and now the beeping had suddenly sped up to a rapid pace as a loud blaring sound came from the machine as it flashed red saying that Barry was in cardiac arrest. Felicity raced over and checked over the monitor and Barry before typing into the monitor causing the beeping to quieten and the blaring to stop although the beeps were still at a high speed.

"Aren't you going to do something? He's in cardiac arrest!" Oliver exclaimed as he saw Felicity calm down and turn the alarm off.

"It's fine Oliver." Felicity said placatingly, "It's good news actually, it seems his speed has returned and is relatively similar to Caitlin's data that I collected off STAR's servers but has increased slightly but that would seem consistent with his obviously increased speed. Don't worry Oliver, I'm now sure that he will recover, and it shouldn't be too much longer. You should probably do something about your disappearance given you are the mayor of Star City, remember?"

"You're right but first I owe you all an explanation." Oliver responded, soon Diggle and Thea had arrived from wherever they had been and sat around the table in the cave.

Once they were all together Oliver explained to all of them what had happened; to Barry, when Barry came to him, the training they went and did and how the fight had been his last stand against Zolomon who had of destroyed the universe and then gone onto others had he been victorious.

By the end of the explanation the three were shocked to say the least, they had all been close to Barry and had tears in their eyes upon hearing all that he had been through and were proud of what he had done, knowing that whatever damage had been done to Central was a speck of dust compared to what he had prevented.

"Oliver, I'm sure you've heard the fighting in the press over the actions of Barry, I believe that the least he deserves is to be recognised as the hero rather than go down a villain and as the mayor of Star City you could do something to change the story." Felicity spoke up after a few minutes of silence after the story had finished and brought forth the agreement of both Thea and Diggle.

Oliver nodded is head, "It's the least I could do, and I could only hope that I could do more, he didn't deserve any of this, he was the best of us. I'm afraid of what will be left of him, I doubt he will be the Flash anymore, he is strong, but he has been broken too many times I just don't know"

Felicity shook her head at Oliver's words, "You said it yourself, he is strong and the best of us, he will pick himself up but until then he has got us, all of us." She said with finality giving Oliver some hope after the weeks of worry and buried anger at everything.

-----

Oliver was now walking up to the podium at the press conference that was held within hours of his return and at his request. The room was packed with reporters from across the city all wondering where he had been and what had taken him from the City he had sworn to repair.

"Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, citizens of Star city, and whoever else may be watching this." Oliver began with a grim expression, "First I must apologise for my absence, I was taken away by some very important personal business I had overseas that couldn't wait. I know I promised to all of you that I would be here and that I would help this city and I am deeply sorry for my absence and am hereby announcing my retirement from the position of mayor of Star City."

At this statement Oliver was met with an uproar of questioning and commenting on his statement from the packed room of reporters all wanting to know more of his absence and reasoning for retirement. Oliver ignored the ruckus and continued, the audience quieting down almost immediately wanting to know what he had to say.

"Despite this, this is not the main reason for which I have called this conference, we have all by now heard of the great tragedy to have struck Central City and the battle that had taken place between the Flash and another person like him. I am here to ask you all something. When Central City faced a plethora of enemies that risked the lives and welfare of not just Central City but America itself what did the Flash do? Did he use his powers to run for safety? No. He ran into danger, he through his regard for personal safety to the wind and gave is all to save each and every person that he could. Do you all really believe that it was some simple miracle that not a single casualty was suffered in the disaster? No, the Flash not only fought to stop his enemies, but he fought to save the city."

"I know you may say that all of this is just a matter of perspective, a hopeful and blindly optimistic view but you are wrong. I have heard the news, the arrogant and fearful politicians that are trying to garner votes by describing the Flash as an evil terrorist that will tear down the city and conquer our world if we don't stop him. They are a disgrace to our people; we have for so long been thankful for the sacrifices of Central's hero to protect people at all costs but now we are just turning our backs?"
This was again responded to with many questions from the reporters but one broke through the ruckus as others quietened to hear more.

"Mr Queen, you claim that you aren't just being hopeful but what do you have to back that up. The so-called hero has done millions of dollars in damage to the city and whether or not they did, people could have died. What will happen next time if nothing is done."

Oliver sighed knowing what he was about to do would have serious effects but that it was necessary, "I understand what you are saying, I can't blame anyone for fearing what he has done and could do but I see what I must do to show you the truth." Oliver paused for a moment as all the reporters inched forwards in their seats, "I don't speak from my ideas or imagination, I speak from what I have seen, the truth I know, the man I know. I know who the Flash is. I have known the man since before the particle accelerator went off and gave him the powers he has. I watched as from the day he found his powers he immediately tried to run out and save anyone he could, running into burning buildings, bank robberies, facing the meta-humans that the police weren't able to protect the public from. It didn't always go perfectly but he learnt and trained to be the best he could to save everyone he could. Not only did he do this, but he still had to keep up his job to live his life as any of you do. Could you imagine adding being a super powered hero to your life and still coping with everything. The man you all know as the Flash is the man, I know to have bled and broken bones in the effort to protect his city, to protect all of us. The person he was fighting, Zoom, otherwise known as Hunter Zolomon, he wanted to kill everyone who opposed him, then take over each country until he ruled the world, and he would have, the only one who could stop him was the Flash and so as always he put everything in to save all of us. Over the last month Zoom has broken his back, killed his father, his sister, two of his closest friends, all to hurt him and to defeat him so he could ruin all of our lives, kill many of us. When the flash called me months ago telling me what he had been through and told me he needed help, I didn't leave him for my job as mayor, I dropped everything because that's what he would do for me, for his friends and family, for anyone who needed him to. He spent this time training until he was almost dead the getting up and going twice as hard. All of that came down to two weeks ago, he fought the monster who destroyed his life and would destroy all of our homes and he not only won, but he was able to protect everyone from being hurt. What is a few million in damaged buildings to the freedom of all of us. After the fight he had given it his all and for the past two weeks I have been by his bedside whilst he lays in a coma with at least half of his bones fractured and injuries that would send anyone else straight to the morgue. He will wake up, soon we believe, I doubt he will return as the Flash with all he has suffered but for all he has done the least we can do is remember him a hero who gave everything for us and not disgrace his memory as some false terrorist. The Flash is the greatest man I have ever and will ever know, whatever people may say he is humanities hero, America's hero, Central's hero. He is what our children aspire to. Don't let us forget it or we will lose what matters most, our faith in the good of us all." With that Oliver departed the podium and room, escorted by the mayoral guards, he had said all he had to say and could only hope that everyone who saw it would see the truth.

As Oliver left the room he was left with not only questions and confusion but also cheering and applause for the hero that saved us all.

-----

Over the next few day the news of his speech had reached across not only America but overseas as well as had the events in Central City. Much to Oliver's happiness, the speech was received well by almost all people and the discussions in the media had been almost completely swayed in the Flash's favour. Some still preached him as a terrorist but were almost immediately silenced by the onslaught of hate they received from huge portions of the population. Many questions were being asked of the Flash's identity and how he knew him, but they were met with nothing as Oliver continued to spend almost all of his time down in the Arrow cave.

Barry had been healing steadily and was set to wake up in the next day or so by Felicity's predictions but based on what she has observed, the damage to his spine would have him a permanent paraplegic without his powers and even with them he will still be in a wheelchair for a while due to their decreased healing as a result of the strain on his system and severity of the injury. Oliver had paid a visit to Barry's apartment after hearing this news and brought back clothing for him to keep in the Arrow Cave where he would likely stay until he healed, and he also took care of paying the bills for him for the next few months to avoid Barry any hassle.

As of now Oliver was sitting at the monitors and looking over the news about the repair efforts and discussions over the events in Central City as well as the articles written regarding his announcement and plethora of people who wanted to be famous outing people who he's been seen with as the Flash. His boredom induced from reading so many stupid and fictional articles was broken by the increase in speed of the beeping that had been coming from the medical bay the entire time which was once again accompanied by a blaring alarm. As he rushed over Felicity was already there and had turned off the alarm announcing that Barry was awakening.

Barry blearily blinked his tired eyes open as his body ached with deep pain all over and he couldn't focus for a few minutes as he pushed the pain aside in his mind. As his vision cleared the blurry images of two people focused out to be Oliver and Felicity. Pushing himself up Barry found that he had lost control of his lower half and had to lift himself with just his arms, Oliver having given up keeping him lying down after Barry persisted. As he was in a sitting position, leaning back against a pillow on the wall behind the bed Barry observed the two others' worried expressions as well as Felicity's eyes that were glazing over with unshed tears as she looked at him.

Turning with a worried expression to Oliver he asked, "What happened? Is something wrong?".

In response Oliver shook his head, "Not anymore. Do you remember what happened?"

"I was fighting Zoom around Central City, so much was destroyed in the fight, then I knew that neither of us were going to win without people getting killed in the middle of it so I did something... I-I think, wait, I remember, I stopped fighting and drew in as much energy as I could. I didn't know if I could do it but it was the only possible way I could see that the least people would be hurt. I tried channelling the energy and controlling where it went even though I hadn't been able to before and then I just felt myself explode. It didn't hurt, it was almost a euphoric feeling but drained me so much it began hurting to go on. I stopped once I was sure that Zoom was done for." Looking up at Oliver and Felicity he saw their expressions hadn't changed.

"What is it? Did people get hurt? Did I do too much damage?" Barry asked, voice full of concern for the people of Central City.

"You destroyed many of the surrounding buildings, but they were deserted at the time and no one died or was seriously injured. A lot of the politicians and people in the media were labelling you as a terrorist for the damage you did but it doesn't matter. You did what had to be done and you saved us all from so much worse." Oliver answered

"They may as well see me as a terrorist, I'm done being the Flash, the Flash was a team and now it's dead. I'm sorry I just can't anymore." Barry announced apologetically.

"It's fine Barry, you've done more than anyone could have asked of you. But even if you're done being the Flash, you are still Barry and that matters. You probably realised that your back is broken, it will heal based on what Felicity observed but will take time as it was extremely damaged so you will be in a wheelchair for a while."

"That's fine. Oliver, it's okay, you did all you could, and it worked, I did what I had to, you don't need to worry anymore."
"I'm not worried for everyone else; I'm worried for you Barry. You need to get better, you deserve it." Oliver said solemnly.

Barry nodded in response and turned to face Felicity, reaching out and pacing a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong, I'll be okay I promise."

Felicity nodded shakily before lifting her head to face Barry. "I'm so sorry." She began, putting her hand on Barry's, "You of all people never deserved this. Anything you need, I'm here for you."
"Thank you Felicity, and please don't be sad. It's over now and he's never coming back."

Nodding more firmly, Felicity wiped the tears out of her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt before moving off to the side and pulling over a wheelchair from the side of the room. "You can use this once you are better, you can get around the cave and if there is anything you need, you need only ask." She said indicating the wheelchair when mentioned.

"Oliver can I have a hand getting out of this bed please." Barry said looking over to Oliver.

"You should rest, you only just woke up." Oliver countered.

"I just woke up I don't need more rest. C'mon, get over here." Barry said putting on a façade of the humour and positivity he used to have to reassure the two who were obviously on edge.

Conceding, Oliver came and helped him into the wheelchair and Barry was able to then wheel around the room a little, getting used to the wheelchair for a few minutes.

The three then left the medical wing and Barry made his way up to the monitor, Felicity helping his to be pushed up the ramp even if he didn't need it with his speed almost fully returned and having most of his super-human strength from his training returned.

At the monitors Barry pulled a few things lying around the desk and got Oliver to grab him a few things he say lying around the room and used them and his speed to unassembled the keyboard and parts of the computer and monitor and install technology he recalled him and Cisco designing for him to use his speed with the technology.

Thinking of his time with Cisco mucking around in his lab brought a wave of painful emotions though he didn't let them show to save Felicity and Oliver the worry. Finishing in about a minute he had everything reassembled and used it to then read all the recent news and everything that had been going on in another minute which he could recall with his almost perfect memory now.

After reading all the information Barry turned around to face Oliver, noticing the awe on Felicity's face at both the boosted gear she now had and at what he had just done in both building and using it.

"I read about what you did. Thank you, Oliver, you didn't have to but I do appreciate it." Barry said looking up at Oliver gratefully.

"Nonsense, it was the least I could do for you. You deserve to be remembered a hero and I'm just sorry that all I could do was have you not be seen as a terrorist." Oliver said, looking honestly apologetic.

Rather than say anything Barry just chucked and held out a hand and the two grasped forearms in a brotherly way given Barry was unable to give him a hug due to his current predicament.

-----

Over the next two weeks of Barry's recovery, he had used the time to work on his newfound abilities to learn faster and run thoughts through his head faster and had been basically learning almost everything he could. Being able to remember everything helped as Barry could now confidently say that he was an expert in quantum physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer programming, nano-tech and many other areas of study from both past and those paving the future currently.

After studying these courses all in under a week to the point that he could go up against the top researchers of the various fields Barry had decided to do something more practical. He had decided that he didn't want the loss of his team to stop him for all they strived for and decided he would continue to do what he could to be the hero they saw but now he would instead work from the dark, like Oliver, working with team Arrow. He had told Oliver and whilst he hadn't wanted him to go back to all of it after a while of persisting on the topic Oliver had given in and accepted.

As a result the last week was spent by him upgrading the suit given to him by Nyssa and the Alzilal and using it as a baseline from which he made the armour highly impenetrable and able to withstand large forces with little effect on the wearer by using a new alloy of his creation that was both lighter and stronger than Titanium and was similar to star alloy but wasn't limited by the requirement of energy. After adding these things to the suit, he had then fashioned new soles for the boots that would allow better traction when needed but not slow him when he was running his fastest speeds. That brought him to his latest project which was working with creating an advanced energy field by harnessing the energy that would flow around him in his running. The device ran through the lining between the pieces of flexible armour alloy that he had installed and made the light refract completely around his form making him invisible to the human eye when he was running at around Mach 2 or more which was easy for him nowadays, or at least would be when he could walk again.

Felicity had been fascinated with this tech and he had spent longer creating it as he went through the process and detail with Felicity who was a genius herself so she had caught on fast and learnt a lot about the speedforce, which included physics theorems that Barry had made himself in the process that were years ahead of current research.

Once Barry could finally walk his back had healed quickly with his power back in full and the last of the damage being quick to repair. Once he was running again around the cave, he pieced back together the now pimped out assassins' suit and put it on as Oliver, Diggle, Thea and Felicity waited to see the final result. As Barry returned to the cortex, appearing from nowhere due to the light distortion technology the other four were shocked to say the least.

"Damn son, you look hot." Thea said which prompted a scathing look from Oliver before he looked back at Barry.

The suit was the same deep, blood red almost black that it had been before, the shadow of the hood concealing his face and the ends of the cloak billowing around his legs. The armour plating was almost unnoticeable as the suit wrapped around his body and made it clear that Barry was far more muscular than most and looked similar to Oliver if not stronger with his bulging muscles. Let's just say that if you were to see him like that emerging from the darkness, whoever he was coming from would run away no matter who they were.

Impressed, Oliver gave him a nod of appraisal, "You look damn menacing Barry, now are you ready to do something with it?" Oliver asked, half encouraging him, wanting to see what he was capable of and half still concerned whether he should be doing this at all.

Piping up, Thea interjected, "If he's going out like that, he will need a new name. You got anything Barry?"
"I'm not doing this as a hero anymore, I don't need a name, I'll go out there and do what I can to honour those who died for and because of me." Barry said with finality, silencing Thea who sobered up from her bout of fangirling.

In response Oliver simply gave a nod with a grim expression marring his face. He had always wanted to stop Barry from suffering what he had when he watched him become the Flash but what he had been through was so much worse and all he could do is try to reassemble the broken pieces.

-----

That night Barry went out and ran to Central City keeping his speed low enough to avoid making too loud a sound and alerting people to his presence. Entering the abandoned streets that were still scattered with the destruction that he had left behind he came to a stop in a shadow so that he wouldn't be noticed.

Analysing what was in front of him in a split second, Barry got to work, moving away rubble to pile up and beginning to repair the buildings, referring to the tablet he had boosted to go at his speed when he didn't know how to do something. When the sun was beginning to rise, and people would be soon passing by the scene Barry raced off back to the Arrow Cave in Star City.

His time for the next week each night had been spent doing the same thing. The media had picked up on what was happening and after two nights they had started putting up cameras and standing around to see if they could find how was doing the repairs, but Barry always cleared them out before starting and then spending the entire night continuing his repairs. Many had assumed that it was the Flash after camera recordings showed the cameras moving to another location almost immediately, some experts even theorised that he had gotten faster and they therefore couldn't see anything anymore but no one was sure, all they knew was that each night the city was being restored to what it once was.

Barry had spent each day at the Arrow Cave sleeping most of the time and spending the rest on finding out more things and learning as much as he could finding it to be a fun hobby to see how fast he could finish different university courses.

By the end of the week Barry had finished almost a year worth of reconstruction efforts and had only a few final touches left to do. The city had been shocked and as time passed more and more people joined in with the, now majority of people, who believed the Flash had done it and that therefore the last few people were letting go of their ideas of him being a terrorist. Barry didn't really care for his reputation as the Flash, he just wanted to make up for the damage he had unintentionally done and repair the citywide damages to help restore the civilians' life and honour the city he and his team had spent so long protecting and had loved dearly.

During this time Oliver had spent a lot of time with Barry when he had been around the Arrow Cave, whilst at first Barry's façade had almost eluded Oliver to his pain it hadn't lasted long. Rather than confront him Oliver just did his best to make sure he was okay and was afraid of what Barry would do when he finished fixing Central as that was what he had put all his attention into, probably to avoid everything else that had been happening.

Oliver knew that when Barry made his way to Central that he had been going to the grave site of those that Zoom killed because of the tracker he and Diggle had forced him to attach to his suit despite Barry's protests. Oliver knew it was only a matter of time as did the rest of the team and they had decided they would just be there when the time came. It turned out that that time had come when Oliver had expected as Barry had left the cave the night after finishing the repairs in Central City and Oliver had followed him to where he was on the roof of one of the tallest buildings in Star City.